Three Men in a Boat

Harris, George, and J. are three Victorian idlers. They decide a change of scene is called for from their usual lethargic routine. And why not a trip up the Thames in an open boat? They soon realise their idyll isn't quite what they bargained for.

Something Fresh

As Wodehouse himself once noted, "Blandings has impostors like other houses have mice." On this particular occasion, there are two imposters, both intent on a dangerous enterprise. Lord Emsworth's secretary, the Efficient Baxter, is on the alert and determined to discover what is afoot - despite the distractions caused by the Honorable Freddie Threepwood's hapless affair of the heart.

My Man Jeeves

A new Jeeves audiobook is cause for celebration, especially when the stories are not available in print. This hilarious installment of the inimitable manservant Jeeves and his twit of an employer, Bertie Wooster, includes the earliest stories written by the master of the pen, prank, and pun. The stories are woven together with original material performed by Martin Jarvis.

The Mother Tongue

With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, Bill Bryson - the acclaimed author of The Lost Continent - brilliantly explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience, and sheer fun of the English language. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat (why you can talk but your dog can't) to the fine lost art of swearing, Bryson tells the fascinating, often uproarious story of an inadequate, second-rate tongue of peasants that developed into one of the world's largest growth industries.

Bleak House

A complex plot of love and inheritance is set against the English legal system of the mid-19th century. As the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce drags on, it becomes an obsession to everyone involved. And the issue on an inheritance ultimately becomes a question of murder.

The P.G. Wodehouse Collection

This title includes not only the entire audiobook of Right Ho, Jeeves, but also all of the P.G. Wodehouse titles in the current Classic Tales library. It also includes a Jeeves short story only available in the collection: "Extricating Young Gussie". The complete running time is over 15 hours. All titles have been remastered, and have never sounded better!

The Innocents Abroad: Or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress

In June 1867, Mark Twain set out for Europe and the Holy Land on the paddle steamer Quaker City. His enduring, no-nonsense guide for the first-time traveler also served as an antidote to the insufferably romantic travel books of the period.

Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow

Over 100 years since it was first published Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow addresses subjects which are still relevant today – perhaps more so! Being hard up, being in the blues and being in love are just some aspects of the human condition on which Jerome K. Jerome reflects in his unique whimsical fashion. These insights are not given for the benefit of our education however, for as he says in his introduction, “This book would not elevate a cow.'

Very Strange Stories: Fifty Astoundingly Queer Tales

There are certain stories which stand out from the crowd owing to the unique creativity of the plot and the skill with which the author unfolds his tale. This selection contains 50 of the most ingenious short stories ever written. Includes: 'The Lighthouse on Shivering Sand' by J. S. Fletcher; 'The Umbrella' by Arnold Bennett; 'The Lovely Lady' by D. H. Lawrence; 'The Lake' by W. F. Harvey; 'A Tiger’s Skin' by W. W. Jacobs; and 'The Strange Case of Mr. Todmorden' by F. Britten Austin.

Mystery in White

"The horror on the train, great though it may turn out to be, will not compare with the horror that exists here, in this house." On Christmas Eve, heavy snowfall brings a train to a halt near the village of Hemmersby. Several passengers take shelter in a deserted country house, where the fire has been lit and the table laid for tea - but no one is at home. Trapped together for Christmas, the passengers are seeking to unravel the secrets of the empty house when a murderer strikes in their midst.

Doomsday Book

For Oxford student Kivrin, traveling back to the 14th century is more than the culmination of her studies - it's the chance for a wonderful adventure. For Dunworthy, her mentor, it is cause for intense worry about the thousands of things that could go wrong.

The Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow

The aptly titled sequel to Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow which is also recorded by Assembled Stories and proved immensely popular.In this succeeding outburst of whimsy Jerome reflects on a variety of subjects such as 'the art of making up one's mind', 'the care and management of women' and 'the minding of other peoples business'.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is both a whimsical fantasy and a social satire chock-full of brilliant Twainisms. Hank Morgan, a nineteenth-century American---a Connecticut Yankee---by a stroke of fate is sent back into time to sixth-century England and ends up in Camelot and King Arthur's Court.

The Wind in the Willows

Here is a timeless tale of waterside Britain that has been loved by generations of children and acclaimed as a classic. The story of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Toad, and their escapades, whether messing about on the river or poop-pooping in Toad's shiny new car, cannot fail to enchant.

The Warden

Anthony Trollope's classic novel centers on Mr. Harding, a clergyman of great personal integrity whose charitable income far exceeds the purpose for which it was intended. On discovering this, young John Bold turns his reforming zeal toward exposing what he regards as an abuse of privilege, despite the fact that he is in love with Mr. Harding's daughter, Eleanor.

The Crime at Black Dudley: An Albert Campion Mystery

When George Abbershaw is invited to Black Dudley Manor for the weekend, he has only one thing on his mind - proposing to Meggie Oliphant. Unfortunately for George, things don't quite go according to plan. A harmless game turns decidedly deadly and suspicions of murder take precedence over matrimony. Trapped in a remote country house with a murderer, George can see no way out. But Albert Campion can.

Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms

They destroy plant diseases. They break down toxins. They plough the earth. They transform forests. They’ve survived two mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaur. Not bad for a creature that’s deaf, blind, and spineless. Who knew that earthworms were one of our planet’s most important caretakers? Or that Charles Darwin devoted his last years to studying their remarkable achievements?

Audible Editor Reviews

Three Men on the Bummel reintroduces audiences to the three humorous friends from Jerome K. Jerome's earlier book, Three Men in a Boat. In this sequel, the boat is replaced with bicycles as the three men try, with many comical mishaps and misunderstandings, to navigate the German Black Forest. Grammy-nominated performer, David Case, handles the production of this audiobook, and with his sarcastic and sly delivery, the comedy hits full force. Despite having been written over 100 years ago, Jerome K. Jerome's comic tale, with help from the energetic performance of Case, remains one of the favorite English comeic novels.

Publisher's Summary

When three late-Victorian gentlemen escape from their claustrophobic suburban life to go on a cycling tour in the Black Forest of Germany, their trip turns into a comic expedition.

Many of their humorous adventures and mishaps relate to the nuances in language and customs; one attempts to board a train unconventionally to avoid German procedures; when riding the Bummel in Dresden one butts and rolls into German passengers who, being familiar with the route know how to brace themselves and don't see the humor, "the dull lot"; another tries to buy his aunt a cushion and gets angry after he pays for it because he gets only a kiss from a young girl instead. Three Men on the Bummel is one of the most popular classics in English comic fiction.

Absolutely amazing. And if you liked it, read Three Men in a Boat. That's much better still. There is no use my praising it anymore. Jerome K. Jerome is perhaps the greatest writer of comedy of all time, and this goes without question for anyone who knows him. I have read many many writers of comedy, and trust me when I say he is among the greatest writers of all time. In his style he is king. But three men in a boat's better.

I have a lot of dealing with German people through business, and if you would not have told me the author, I would have assumed this book was written last year - not last century. The book is a pleasure to experience purely because of the authors excellent style and many diversions in the book. I have heard many say its a poor sequel to the 3 men on a boat, I'm having none of it. Its far better.

On the downside I think the narrator could have been more upbeat and put more effort into the characters. It was difficult to distinguish between Harris and George until the narrator told us who was speaking - but this was a minor point as the story outshone this.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

OL

Hanwell, London United Kingdom

2/9/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"A little too camp, but worth it still."

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

However poor the performance, JKJ's words of wisdom and entertainment surmount all obstacles.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jerome K. Jerome? Why or why not?

I love JKJ's writing it is always witty, entertaining and insightful

What aspect of David Case’s performance might you have changed?

A little less camp. JKJ's writings are so good they need no embroidery, let them speak.

Was Three Men on the Bummel worth the listening time?

The narrative is innocent of hindsight and gives an affectionate and entertaining picture of Germans, on the brink of one of the worst conflicts humanity has known.

Any additional comments?

I am still quoting JKJ on my local cycling campaign Facebook page to the delight and entertainment of other members. His opinions on saddles has stood the test of a century.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Peter

Leominster, Herefordshire, United Kingdom

4/4/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Don't think of it as a sequel"

I bought this book on the basis that Three Men In A Boat was excellent and went into it expecting something very similar. If you do that, you are likely to be disappointed.

Whilst the booked is good, I don't rate it as highly as TMIAB. There isn't as much humour and the siuations the group find themselves in are sometimes not as believable.

On top of that, the narration isn't great. David Case doesn't do the book justice and I wonder if that is part of the reason it lacked something. If they'd used either Martin Jarvis or Nigel Plainer both of which did good narrations of TMIAB then this could have been a better listen all round.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.